"In recent weeks, the streets of north and east Glasgow have been lined with saltires. Scotland's national flag rooted in the story of Saint Andrew's martyrdom and long a symbol of resilience and pride has become a flashpoint in a growing cultural battle. Flags have been raised as part of a UK-wide action, known as raise the colours, amid protests against housing asylum seekers in hotels and rising far-right activity."
"In Springburn, a community with no asylum seeker hotels but scarred by deep poverty and known for its diversity of black and other minority ethnic groups, refugee and asylum seekers, hundreds of flags appeared almost overnight. Their sudden presence unsettled many residents. In response, a grassroots coalition Springburn Anti-Racism Group was formed to reclaim the saltire and defend the neighbourhood with a message of solidarity and inclusion."
"Saltires and union flags flew alongside anti-immigrant slogans, while counter-protesters from Stand Up to Racism and other groups assembled on the opposite side of police lines. For hours, chants and banners collided in the streets. The standoff ended after five hours with one arrest for the assault of a police officer, and an atmosphere that was heavy with unease, a sense that deeper, wider conflicts were brewing beneath the surface."
Saltire flags have appeared across north and east Glasgow as part of a UK-wide 'raise the colours' action linked to protests against housing asylum seekers and rising far-right activity. Hundreds of flags appeared almost overnight in Springburn, a diverse community with no asylum hotels but long-standing poverty, unsettling many residents. A grassroots coalition, Springburn Anti-Racism Group, formed to reclaim the saltire and defend the neighbourhood with solidarity and inclusion. Saltires and union flags flew alongside anti-immigrant slogans at a far-right-backed unity rally in central Glasgow, prompting counter-protests, a police dividing line, clashes of chants and banners, and one arrest.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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